Matt Mitrione signs with Bellator!

The popular heavyweight fighter is leaving the UFC for Bellator MMA after a period of free agency, he announced Monday on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. Mitrione is the latest in a number of well-known Bellator signings recently, including former UFC champion Benson Henderson and legend Wanderlei Silva.

Mitrione had an offer on the table from Bellator and the UFC chose not to match, he said. Mitrione called his free-agent period “lovely” and said he was excited about a new start with Bellator. He added that his Bellator contract is a four-fight deal and every fight is a guaranteed six-figure purse. Mitrione said he’s now “making double” what the UFC offered him as show and win money.